Grafton, WI – The following statements were released by both the Lakeshore Chinooks Baseball Club and the Northwoods League as of June 15, 2020. Our office will continue to provide information and updates as we receive them from the Northwoods League.
Statement from the Lakeshore Chinooks Baseball Club:
The Northwoods League announced late last week the return to baseball for five Wisconsin affiliates. The Lakeshore Chinooks will not begin play July 1st but remain optimistic and hopeful our 2020 season can get underway July 15th joining the Wisconsin/Illinois pod. We are currently working with city and county officials as well as Concordia University Wisconsin to assure the health and safety of everyone involved from the players and staff to our fans. A final decision and additional information will be announced in the coming weeks.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. Our staff will continue to provide updates as they become available so please continue to follow our website and social media platforms for updates.
Statement from the Northwoods League:
Rochester, Minn. – Another “pod” of Northwoods League teams comprised of the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, the Green Bay Booyah, the La Crosse Loggers, the Rockford Rivets, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, and the Wisconsin Woodchucks will return for play this summer starting July 1st. The season for this pod will last until August 20th, and will be capped with a two-day, pod playoff series. Working in consultation with state and local officials, the six teams have each developed a plan for safe operation in their respective locations, and the teams look forward to welcoming fans and players back for a much-anticipated season of Northwoods League baseball.
“Patience, creativity, and a focus on safety have paid off for Northwoods League fans and players,” said Northwoods League President and Commissioner Gary Hoover. “This next phase represents tremendous effort by our Affiliates to safely bring baseball back into their communities, and to provide their fans with a timeless way to spend quality time.”
With additional teams in the region still working through the possibility of opening later in July, this “pod” could expand before the season’s end. Details regarding each team’s initial schedule of games will be released soon, and additional details can be found at the Northwoods League website at www.northwoodsleague.com.
The Northwoods League offers a one-of-a-kind feature in Summer Collegiate Baseball by providing a 4-camera HD video operation in all of its ballparks to capture all the on-field action. Fans everywhere wishing to get a head start on exciting Northwoods League action can take advantage of a free 3-day trial of the video streaming service June 15-17 that will show North Dakota “pod” games played in the Bismarck Larks’ “nest” – Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. Games are viewable on PC or on mobile devices, tablets, and select smart TV services.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now entering its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
